As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Heigl's complaints about the long day on set came at a July stop on "The Late Show With David Letterman" to discuss her latest film, "The Ugly Truth." ABC president Stephen McPherson responded shortly thereafter, calling her remarks "unfortunate."

"People are going to behave in the way they choose to behave," he said at ABC's TCA presentation in August. "There are so many people who work so hard on 'Grey's,' and all of our shows, without any notoriety and those are the ones I'd be concerned about, people who feel like they're being criticized or looked down upon."

Still, show producers seem to be supporting their star's big-screen career, with her character, Izzie's, absence worked into scripts for the show's upcoming sixth season.

However, Heigl won't be the only "Grey's" doc who won't be making the rounds. Ellen Pompeo, who is expecting her first child, will likely be absent on maternity leave during her co-star's absence – leaving the show without both Meredith or Izzie, respectively, for potentially weeks.

This should leave room for three new castmembers — Nota Zehetner, Robert Baker, and Jesse Williams, all recently announced new members of Seattle Grace – to make a mark on the show, which returns to ABC on September 24.